I recently joined American Immigration Lawyers Association’s (AILA) volunteer program to assist military members and their families on immigration matters. AILA generously devotes time and professional skills to public service.I am looking forward to actively support this program.

Attorney Sullivan has been an active member of the American Immigration Lawyers Association, AILA for almost ten years. AILA provides excellent opportunities for learning from experience colleagues on all matters related to the practice of immigration law.

On Thursday, April 9, 2015 Attorney Sullivan will attend AILA New England’s monthly chapter meeting. The topic of the meeting was asylum and featured Susan Raufer, Director of the Newark Asylum Office.

Attorney Sullivan represents many clients on asylum cases with a focus on gender-based and sexual-orientation based claims. Some cases have been lingering for almost three years without an interview. At the meeting, Attorney Sullivan learned why the cases are so backlogged.

The local AILA chapter just announced that the current Special Agent in Charge of Homeland Security Investigations will be transferring to Washington, DC in June 2015 and that “as a result of a change in leadership, the future of the surrender and deferred action program is uncertain.” This means that local immigration attorneys and their clients may face more challenges when requesting ICE to issue Notices to Appear and to agree to Deferred Action. If you believe that you have a strong Surrender or Deferred Action case, you may want to consider immediately consulting with an immigration attorney who can help you meet the imminent deadlines for having your case reviewed locally.

The Boston Globereported this weekthat Tufts University announced a plan to recruit and provide 100% financial assistance to undocumented immigrants who are admitted to the university. The plan demonstrates a deep compassion for children who brought to the U.S. at very young ages, grew up in the U.S., excelled in school, and upon graduation face the bleak reality that without immigration status, their options for education and employment are severely limited, if not non-existent. Opponents of Tufts’ plan point out that many U.S. citizens and/or documented immigrants face enormous challenges in financing education at private secondary institutions.

The temporary court decision to block President Obama’s immigration programs have been challenged by over 70 municipal leaders nationwide. Recently, Boston’s Mayor Marty Walsh and the City of Cambridge joined to challenge the injunction against DAPA and DACA, proposed by President Obama to help long-time immigrant residents of the U.S. obtain basic immigration status.

Nationwide local leaders indicate that: “Local officials witness every day the contributions that immigrants make to their neighborhoods and communities, as well as the harms that result from keeping long-time residents of those neighborhoods and communities in the shadows due to their immigration status.”